Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill on Wednesday raising the state’s gasoline and diesel fuel taxes by 10 cents a gallon.

The bill passed the Iowa House and Senate on Tuesday after legislative leaders from both parties worked with the Republican governor to reach a consensus on a funding package to provide an additional $215 million annually for city, county and state roads.

Branstad received Senate File 257 in his Iowa Capitol office on Wednesday morning and immediately signed it.

“This is a great example, on a difficult and controversial issue, of the kind of bipartisan cooperation that really makes Iowa stand out as a state where we work together and we get things done on behalf of the citizens of our state,” Branstad said. “This is important for economic development. This is important for our farmers to be able to get their crops to market. I know that many people have been waiting a long time for this.” The last gas tax increase was in 1989.

Branstad pointed out the fuel tax increase has had broad support from groups like the Iowa Farm Bureau, Chambers of Commerce and other business groups, and Iowa’s trucking industry. He noted the bill also imposes restrictions on future debt and bonding for local government road projects. That’s important, he said, explaining he believes in a “pay-as-you-go” method of financing road construction with user fees that benefit people who pay the extra fuel tax.

The tax increase will go into effect at the pump on Sunday, March 1. Branstad said he wants to begin collecting the additional tax now to permit cities, counties and the state to advance their schedules for badly needed work on roads and bridges.

One road project that could be accelerated because of the additional gas tax revenue, the governor said, is the expansion of U.S. Highway 20 in northwest Iowa from two lanes to four lanes. The Iowa Department of Transportation is currently working on a section of U.S. 20 between Moville and Correctionville, leaving a 37-mile stretch between Correctionville and Early. Once the final piece is completed, U.S. Highway 20 will be a four-lane expressway from Sioux City to Dubuque.

]]>0siteadminhttp://www.manatts.com/?p=36912015-02-17T03:08:54Z2015-02-17T03:06:20ZVisit our “Available Positions” page to see our current open positions.

]]>0siteadminhttp://www.manatts.com/?p=36442014-12-16T21:19:02Z2014-12-16T21:19:02ZWe Can’t Afford to Wait is a grassroots movement to let our legislators know Iowans support road funding, and they should too. See below to sign our petition that we’ll personally deliver to your legislators, and check back often for events in support of road and bridge funding!

]]>0siteadminhttp://www.manatts.com/?p=36312014-12-03T18:59:28Z2014-12-03T18:59:28ZAmong drivers who admit to using a cell phone behind the wheel, 63 percent said they’re more likely to use the phone when stopped at a red light, according to a new State Farm survey.

The insurance company’s sixth annual distracted-driving survey also found that 30 percent of motorists who use a cell phone while driving said they’re more likely to use the phone on an open highway.

One particularly troubling finding in the survey: At least 10 percent of respondents reported that driving in school zones and construction zones has no impact on their cell phone use.

On the other hand, survey respondents indicated they are less likely to use the cell phone under these conditions:

Dark outside – 75 percent

Fog – 91 percent

Snow – 92 percent

Icy conditions – 93 percent

Heavy traffic – 78 percent

Construction zone – 87 percent

Rain – 88 percent

School zone – 83 percent.

“It’s interesting to see that many drivers report assessing driving conditions when they make choices regarding using their cell phones,” said Chris Mullen, director of technology research at State Farm. “However, we want to remind people that there are demands on their attention when driving whether moving or not, and to please stay 100 percent focused on their drive.”

For six years, State Farm has conducted surveys focused on people’s attitudes and behaviors related to cell phone use while driving. According to State Farm, a few trends have emerged:

The number of drivers who talk on a handheld cell phone has steadily declined.

The number of people who report texting while driving has remained stable over six years.

Smartphone ownership is growing. In 2011, 52 percent of drivers reported owning a smartphone, and by 2014 that number grew to 80 percent.

The greatest increases in smartphone ownership are among adults age 40 and older.

Smartphones create new distractions. There is a significant increase over six years in drivers using their phones for accessing the Internet, reading e-mail, responding to e-mail, programming and listening to a navigation system and reading social media.

Drivers are more likely to talk on a handheld phone than they are to text message while driving. Both of these activities are the greatest for drivers ages 18-29.

There has been an increase in the percentage of drivers who say they talk on a hands-free cell phone while driving. This is possibly due to advances in hands-free technology and enactment of laws restricting hand-held use.

“These six-year trends make it apparent that smartphones have created many new distractions for drivers to juggle,” Mullen said. “While much attention is paid to the dangers of talking and texting while driving, it’s critical that we also address the increasing use of other smartphone features and other sources of distraction.”

]]>0siteadminhttp://www.manatts.com/?p=34542014-10-17T21:16:23Z2014-10-17T21:16:23ZAs a member of the Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association, we are pleased to announce that in 2015, the Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association will again offer scholarships to qualified college students. The amount of scholarship dollars distributed will be determined annually by the IRMCA Scholarship/Outreach Committee. Preference is given to applicants who have immediate family working for an IRMCA member. In 2014, the IRMCA awarded thirteen scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 to deserving students.Details of the IRMCA 2015 Scholarship Program can be found on the IRMCA website at www.iowareadymix.org. The deadline for applications is November 30, 2014.

The IRMCA Scholarship/Outreach Committee will meet in December 2014 to evaluate applications and make selections. Winners will be announced at the annual IRMCA Convention in March 2015. If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact Gordon Smith, Executive Director, at the IRMCA office (515-965-4575).

Thank you for your interest and participation.
]]>0siteadminhttp://www.manatts.com/?p=34432014-10-08T17:31:05Z2014-10-08T17:31:05ZThis footage was shot with a drone over the Prairie Parkway (Alice’s Road) project.

]]>0siteadminhttp://www.manatts.com/?p=33752014-08-25T19:07:13Z2014-08-25T19:07:13ZAMES, Iowa – Aug. 20, 2014 – The dog days of summer are upon us. Many folks will be taking to the road over Labor Day to enjoy the last long weekend until winter sets in.

The end of summer doesn’t mean the end of construction season. The Iowa Department of Transportation and the state’s counties and cities continue to have work zones in every corner of Iowa to improve our transportation system. Prior to traveling, we urge motorists to visit 511ia.org for the latest traveler information on current projects that may affect travel plans. You can also get this information by following us on Twitter @iowadot or @statewideia511.

If you would like more complete information on major construction projects that will affect travelers across Iowa this construction season, the Iowa DOT’s construction website, www.iowadot.gov/travel.html#/highwayconstruction, includes specific project details, project detours and traffic impacts, costs, schedules, construction updates, contact information, and an interactive map that includes current projects on Iowa’s interstate and state highways.

Driver behavior is the key to safety in work zones. Following a few simple guidelines can greatly keep both drivers and workers safe and help work toward the goal of Zero Fatalities on Iowa’s roadways.

Expect the unexpected in any work zone along any road. Speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people and equipment may be at work on or near the road.

Slow down. Be alert. Pay attention to the signs. Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are generally posted in advance of road construction projects. Observe the posted signs until you see the one that marks the end of the work zone.

Watch out for flaggers. In addition to other warning signs, a “flagger ahead” warning sign may be posted in the work zone. Stay alert and be prepared to obey the flagger’s directions. In a work zone, a flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, meaning you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.

Merge as soon as possible. Do not zoom up to the point where the lane closes, then try to merge in. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane as quickly and safely as possible after first notice of an approaching work zone.

Slow down when directed. A car traveling 60 mph travels 88 feet per second. If you are going 60 mph and you pass a sign that reads “Road Work 1500 feet,” you will be in that work zone in 17 seconds.

Don’t tailgate. The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear-end collision; remember to leave at least two seconds of braking distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Work zones may be mobile. Some work zones – like line painting, road patching, shoulder repair, and mowing – are mobile and advance as the work is finished. Just because you do not see the workers immediately after you see the warning sign does not mean they are not present.

Expect delays. Plan ahead and leave early to reach your destination on time. Highway
agencies use many different ways to inform motorists about the location and duration of major work zones. Often, detours are suggested to help you avoid the work zone entirely. Plan ahead and try an alternate route.